Music of the West
By Hugh McLennan
Feb-Mar 2007
Spitzee Country
 The Bunch Grass Band
I knew Gord Colliar could sing. I’ve ridden a few trails with him and listened to him do some cowboy songs at a few campfire gatherings, but I had not heard the CD that features Gord and some of his ‘pards from southern Alberta until he played it during the Heritage Ranch Rodeo at Farmfair in Edmonton last November.
The Bunch Grass Band features some names that are pretty well known in southern Alberta cowboy circles – Bud Maynard and Joe Bews to name a few. Other group members include Larry McIntosh, Blaine Evans, Larry Vannatta and Gord.
The songs are all original and rich in the history of Alberta’s ranching roots. Listen closely and you’ll hear the names of trailblazers like Tom Lynch, George Lane, John Ware and several others. The songs express the quiet pride of the best of the top hands who have a mystic connection with that eastern slope country and the cowboy traditions that have become part of the land. From the Cayley Shipping Yards, through the OH Hills, Spitzee Country, Ridin’ on the Highwood and many more, this collection not only honours a precious part of our history, it’s darn good listening. The CD label doesn’t give us any information about who’s playing which instruments, but there’s some fine work here with great harmonica, lead and rhythm guitar, banjo, bass and more. My favourite track by far is There Was a Time, written by Larry Vannatta. It’s got all the ingredients a great song should have and you’ll be hearing it and several other tracks on the Spirit of the West.
Order from www.canadiancowboy.ca.
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